Edmonds gets its own International Film Festival

The first Edmonds International Film Festival, featuring film screenings, VIP events and workshops, starts Thursday, all in downtown Edmonds.

Festival organizers Trevor Greenfield and his father, Fred Greenfield, came to the area from Sandpoint, Idaho, where they founded the Lakedance International Film Festival.

Though that event grew quickly into nine days of programming and more than 60 films by 2009, the Greenfields’ new enterprise in Edmonds is starting out small.

“This is a chance for everybody to see just a glimpse of what we want to do,” Trevor Greenfield said, adding that next year’s events will include screenings at larger venues, such as the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

Here’s a look at the inaugural schedule. More films and lectures may be added. See www.edmondsfilmfestival.com or www.brownpapertickets.com for tickets, information and last-minute festival updates or call Trevor Greenfield at 206-724-4747.

Events will be at The Edmonds Theater, 415 Main St., except where noted. Tickets may be available at the door.

Oct. 21

4 p.m.: Tony Doupe’s “Performance for the Camera:” Novice actors and directors can learn the basics of performing for the camera in this course, which also will cover techniques for fostering a creative working relationships between actors and directors.

Doupe works in the film industry and is the head adviser of the drama department at Shoreline Community College. Doupe was recently cast in a role in “The River Sorrow” starring Ray Liotta. This 90-minute session is for ages 12 and older. Tickets are $25.

7:30 p.m. (Film Block 1, $10)

“Binta and the Great Idea” (“Binta y la Gran Idea”): A short film about a Senegalese girl screened in 2006 at Lakedance and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2007.

“La Strada”: Federico Fellini’s masterpiece and winner of a Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award in 1956.

Oct. 22

7:30 p.m. (Film Block 2, $10)

“Frequent Flyer”: Director Gabriel Leigh takes viewers on a journey of frequent-flyer-mile-inspired flights in his search for a free round-the-world first class ticket in this fascinating documentary.

“Coffee Break”: This short documentary about coffee making in Ethiopia is by Seattle filmmaker John Harrison, who was also cinematographer for the 2010 Academy Award-nominated short “Kavi.”

“Rick Steves’ Andalucia: The Best of Southern Spain”: See Steves’ latest public television travel adventure, featuring the region’s rich mix of culture, cuisine, history and natural wonders. Never-before-seen footage and, perhaps, some bloopers will be shown as part of this one-hour presentation, followed by a Q&A session.

Oct. 23

10 a.m.: “Rick Steves’ Spain”: In this free 90-minute presentation, Steves will share all the latest on Spain, with photos and tips on every corner of the country and insights into his favorite places.

11:45 a.m.: “Lunch With ‘Hollywood’ Author Manny Pacheco”: Pacheco shares his book, “Forgotten History, Forgotten Hollywood,” with a select few guests over lunch, including a book signing at Cafe de Paris, 109 Main St., Edmonds. Tickets are $35. Pacheco also will be at the Edmonds Bookshop from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a book signing.

1:30 p.m.: “Rick Steves’ Producing Travel Shows for TV”: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and frustrations of producing broadcast-quality TV on a budget. Tickets are $25.

7:30 p.m. (Film Block 3, $10)

“Skylight”: In this animated short, a hole opens in the ozone layer and creates some unexpected results.

“Don’t Call Me a Doctor”: This short comedy, written by the festival founders and shot in Edmonds and Seattle, stars Trevor Greenfield and other local actors.

“True Beauty This Night”: In this short, Rhett Somers tries to convince the love of his life that she’s the one, not an easy feat considering how they met.

“My Movie Girl”: Adam, a romantically challenged filmmaker, learns that true love is far more complicated than it’s portrayed in the movies when he tries to relive the most romantic night of his life on film.

This feature film has received numerous awards at various festivals, including Best Comedy, Audience Award for Best Feature Film and Best Soundtrack, all at Lakedance in 2009.

Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037; sjackson@heraldnet.com.